During the annual Labor Day Parade in Detroit, thousands of union workers turned up on Woodward to march.
Each marcher was unique; each one had his or her own personal story. But they were tied the by hope that they all marched for.
There were workers from the City of Detroit, who were marching out of hope that they wouldn’t be laid off soon. There were teachers facing contract disputes from Oakland University, marching in hope of fair negotiations and stable, life-supporting jobs. There were members of the Michigan Education Association, marching in hope of retaining their current health care plan.
They marched for two miles, in hope that their masses would create a strong, unified voice for the American worker. Amidst the signs and colorful group t-shirts, a unified, passionate cry for justice sounded by the people, for the people.
Marchers from the City of Detroit, who face wage and benefit cuts, hope that Mayor Dave Bing will hear their cry. Bing has already sent out 1,000 layoff notices and also plans to cut city transportation.
80,000 people, including industrial laborers, service employees and American workers from all walks of life, turned out in support of health reform, union organizing rights, and worker rights in general.
Politicians did not turn a deaf ear to the event. In fact, several Michigan officials were in attendance, including a handful of Democrats who support the workers’ requests–such as U.S. Representative Gary Peters, U.S. Representative John Conyers, U.S. Senator Carl Levin and Lieutenant Governor John Cherry.
The Metropolitan Detroit AFL-CIO organized the march.